Probative Value and Prioritization
Case Prioritization
Once evidence is submitted, there are a number of competing factors involved in deciding when a case is analyzed.13,14 Prioritization may be given to cases:
- With impending court dates
- With exceptional violence
- With a serial nature
- When submitted by a target task force
- With a juvenile victim
- With submission of all elimination standards
- With “fragile” evidence or evidence required by another section of the laboratory
- With suspects who are a flight risk
- That have been in the laboratory for some time regardless of other factors
- That have political pressure
- Specific court orders
13 Effectively Utilizing DNA Technology to Solve Crime in Orange County 2009-2010 Annual Report pp9,10 PDF download: 208kB • Visit the Orange County Office of the District Attorney »
14 Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Special Report Case Prioritization and Turnaround (April 10, 2009). PDF download: 112kB • Visit the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit »